AT508341A2 - CLEANING SYSTEM FOR SOLAR COLLECTORS - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning system for collectors in combination with a special protective position, which they can take.

In the disclosure, PCT / AT2004 / 000233 a novel collector system is presented with mirror-concentrating collectors, which are tracked biaxially. In addition to the two-axis tracking, the possibility is shown of closing the collectors in pairs at the mirror ends. As a result, on the one hand to achieve effective protection against harmful environmental influences, on the other hand, the windage area is halved in the protective state. The protection position is particularly important to avoid damage in extreme environmental conditions (sandstorm, hail ...), and to reduce the rate of soiling. Nevertheless, regular cleaning of the mirrors is indispensable. The usual cleaning by spraying with water is very labor intensive and requires a lot of water. The aim of the present invention is now to integrate the compact protective position with each pairwise closed at the mirror ends collectors in the automatic cleaning process of the collectors and thus to achieve efficient cleaning with low water consumption. Surface damage caused by entrained sand particles in the water jet should be largely prevented by careful cleaning.

This is inventively achieved by hot steam or a steam / water mixture is introduced into the interior of the pairwise closed collectors in the protection division, whereby the dirt is softened. With the steam, the collectors are also heated evenly. This prevents thermal stresses on the sensitive glass mirrors. Then comes the flushing process. So that the water can run off with the dirt particles, the collectors are opened during rinsing or special openings are provided, through which water or cleaning medium can run off.

The collectors are fixed in position via a retaining bracket and additionally pressed together so that a good seal is achieved. In principle, all the techniques that are used in a dishwasher can also be used in this system. So there may be a pre- and main wash and a final rinse. The hot steam and / or water is introduced via a plurality of cleaning nozzles. Ideally, the nozzles are arranged to be movable. The nozzle arrangement and the course of the movement are to be interpreted in terms of an optimum cleaning effect, wherein a wide variety of variants are conceivable. In collector operation, the cleaning nozzles must be retracted, so that the beam path of the sunlight is not disturbed. ······ ·· ············· ···

Fiaurenkurzbeschreibuna

Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the figures. Showing:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a mirror collector system in the open state and in the Schutzstelllung.

Fig. 2 is a view of two pairs closed collectors.

Fig. 3 shows a cleaning cycle with retracted and extended nozzles and the cleaning process. Detailed description of the figures

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a mirror collector system in the open state and in the protective position. About the holding device 1, the collectors are stably fixed in position and pressed together This causes a good seal at the mirror ends, where ideally rubber seals 2 are attached.

Fig. 2 shows a view of two pairs closed collectors with a cross-fading into the interior. The interior is sealed to the outside. This is the ideal position for the entire cleaning process or for a specific program section of the cleaning process.

Fig. 3 shows a cleaning cycle with retracted and extended nozzles and the cleaning process. To illustrate, the process is shown at the open collector. For cleaning an annular nozzle assembly is extended to a favorable position. The nozzles can be opened during the extension process. Ideally, the system works purely through the system pressure. Via control valves, the cleaning process is controlled automatically Devices for hot water production and / or steam generation can be powered by solar energy.

Fig. 4 shows a possible mechanism for extending the nozzles. The nozzles are mounted on a distributor ring 3, which can be extended over three guides 4.

Claims (7)

··· · ················ 1. Cleaning system for solar collectors, characterized in that cleaning nozzles for the introduction of steam and water or are attached to the collector. 2. Cleaning system for solar collectors according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning nozzles are movably mounted. 3. Cleaning system for solar collectors according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the cleaning nozzles are arranged on a distributor ring (3) which can be extended via guides (4). 4. Cleaning system for solar collectors according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the collectors occupy a closed protective position with sealing of the interior during the cleaning process. 5. Cleaning system for solar collectors according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the protective position is achieved by pairwise joining the collectors to the mirror ends. 6. Cleaning system for solar collectors according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that rubber seals (2) are attached to the mirror ends. 7. Cleaning system for solar collectors according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the collectors in the protective position via a holding device (1) are stably positioned and pressed against each other.